Events and News - February 2015 View this email in your browser

February 2015

Award Nominations!

Do you know of a talented and committed CanadianMuslim woman who deserves to be recognized for

her achievements?

Support her by nominating her for CCMW's Women WhoInspire Awards!!

The Women Who Inspire event raises funds to support promising

Canadian Muslim women in their studies through the Lila Fahlman

Scholarship, which is named after the late Dr. Lila Fahlman, a

renowned educator and founder of Canadian Council of Muslim

Women (CCMW).

Many Canadians come out to support and donate to the

scholarship fund at the annual fundraising brunch. With

scholarships and bursaries, many women can afford to complete

their education, which can then provide them with a better future for

themselves and their families.

CCMW honour Canadian Muslim women from diverse backgrounds

that have achieved excellence in sports, business, education, arts,

Follow us for the latestupdates

If you are not already followingus on through the links below,make sure you do in 2015. Wewill keep you updated on thelatest news for CanadianMuslim women, how you canget involved, and what ouramazing partners have beenup to.

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In This Issue

- What al-Azhar says aboutShias?- Camp Deen- Downtown L.A. Mosque

community service and leadership. Challenging the conventional

stereotypes, these women proudly serve their communities and are

a source of inspiration for all Canadians.

Women Who Inspire Awards

Since 2007, the Canadian Council of Muslim Women (CCMW) has

honored Muslim Women from across the country at the annual

fundraiser: Women Who Inspire. CCMW’s prestigious roster of past

nominees and recipients, include women from diverse backgrounds

that have achieved excellence in sports, business, education, the

arts, community service and leadership.

Challenging the conventional stereotypes that are too often placed

upon Muslim women, these individuals proudly serve their

communities and are a source of inspiration for all Canadians.

Read more about eligibility and submission guidelines here.

Nominate a Canadian Muslim woman, applications can be found

here. Deadline is May 29,2015.

Please be sure to look for updates on our website, Facebook

page, Twitter feed and LinkedIn group.

February 2015

Imagines Empowered Rolefor Muslim Women- Ottawa Chapter: ViolenceAgainst Women presentation- An Open Letter to SaudiKing- CEDAW for ChangeTraining Program- Blueprint for Canada's NAPon VAW- Ottawa Chapter: Interviewson the Niqab- Honour Peshawar Children- Petition (Avaaz)- The School of Fashion,Ryerson University:Recruitment

CCMW Quick Links

Publications

Toolkits

Position Papers

Presentation

Resources of Interest

Newsletters

Read Our Blog

Learn about what CanadianMuslim women are thinking.Please read and share!

Join Our Mailing List!

Donate

What al-Azhar says about Shias?

What al-Azhar says about Shias? Statements about Shias by the

Chancellor of al-Azhar University, Dr. Ahmad al-Tayyib. In an

interview to Egyptian Al Neel Channel, Dr. Ahmad al-Tayyib, the

Chancellor of Al-Azhar University (Egypt):

Q. In your opinion, isn’t there any problem in Shia Beliefs?

A. Never, 50 years ago Shaikh Mahmood Shaltoot, the then

Chancellor of Al Azhar, had issued a fatwa that Shia School is the

fifth Islamic School and as like as the other schools.

Q. Our children are embracing Shia Islam, what should we do?

A. Let them convert and to embrace Shia School. If someone

leaves Maliki or Hanafi Sect, do we criticize him? These children

are just leaving fourth school and Hanafi Sect, do we criticize him?

These children are just leaving fourth school and join the fifth.

Q. The Shias are becoming relatives with us and they are getting

married with our children!

A. What is wrong with this, marriage between religions is allowed.

Q. It is said that the Shias have a different Quran!

A. These are the myths and superstitions of the elderly women.

Shia Quran has no any difference with ours, and even the script of

their Quran is like our alphabet.

Q. 23 clerics of a country (Saudi Arabia) issued a fatwa that the

Shia are infidels, heretics (Kafirs)!!

A. Al-Azhar is the only authority to issue fatwa for Muslims;

therefore the above said fatwa is invalid and unreliable.

Q. So what does the difference - being raised between the Shia

and the Sunni - mean?

A. These differences are the part of the policies of foreign powers

who seek conflict between The Shia and the Sunni.

Five Ways to SupportCCMW

PhoneDonate by phone. Call CCMWat (613) 382-2847.

OnlineDonate online throughCCMW's website.

Mail/ EmailDonate with a check and/ ora credit card. Print this form, filland mail it to CCMWTO, 200Bay Street, PO Box 64056,Toronto, ON, M5J 2T6, Canadaor email to info@ccmw.com.

LegacyPlease remember CCMW inyour will.

Please indicate if you wouldlike to be recognized on ourdonor list.

Every little bit helps toprovide a future to CanadianMuslim communities bysupporting their women!

Did you know?

Last year for our ViolenceAgainst Women project:

CCMW trained 72 members togo into their local communitiesand train other women how todeliver violence against womencommunity workshops.

CCMW held 22 nationalworkshops.

CCMW provided 659Canadians information on the 4different forms of violenceaffecting Canadian Muslimwomen.

CCMW served 7 communitiesacross Canada: Prince Edward

Q. I have a very serious question that “the Shia do not accept Abu

Bakr and Umar, how you can say they are Muslims?”

A. Yes, they do not accept them. But is the belief in Abu Bakr and

Umar a part of the principles of Islam? The story of Abu Bakr and

Umar is historic and history has nothing to do with fundamentals of

the beliefs.

Q. (The reporter surprised by the response, asks) Shia has a

fundamental problem and that is “they say that their Imam the time

”!is still alive after 1,000 years (†امام†العصر )

A. He may be alive, why is it not possible? But there is no reason

that we – as Sunni - should believe just like them.

Q. (Referring to Imam Mohammad Taqi al-Jawad AS, (the 9th Imam

of Shias) the reporter asked) The Shias believe that one of their

Imams was just eight-year old when he became Imam; is it possible

that an eight-year-old child be the Imam?

A. If an infant in a cradle can be a prophet (Issa AS), then why an

eight-year-old child can not be the Imam? It is not strange.

Although we may not accept this belief as we are Sunni. However,

this belief does not harm their Islam, and they are Muslims.

Camp Deen

One of the best things about long winters is the extra time you get

to think about being outside in the warm summer sun or around a

camp fire with your best friends and fellow Muslims.

Island, Quebec, Ontario,Manitoba, Saskatchewan,Alberta and British Columbia.

Last year for our Women inNiqab Speak project:

CCWM surveyed 81 women inOntario who wear the niqab.

CCMW held 4 media launchesin London, Guelph, Torontoand Ottawa.

Campaigns Annual fundraiser: WomenWho Inspire

The Lila Fahlman Scholarshipis named after the late Dr. LilaFahlman, a renowned educatorand founder of CCMW(Canadian Council of MuslimWomen). The scholarship issponsored by CCMW withgenerous donations fromCCMW members andsupporters. Each year, atCCMW’s annual brunch, fundsare raised for Canadian Muslimwomen to assist in theireducation.

At the same event CCMWawards Canadian Muslimwomen who achievedexcellence in sports, business,education, the arts, communityservice and leadership.

Learn more aboutthe scholarships andthe awards.

Monthly GivingCCMW is always looking forsupport from its members andpartners from variouscommunities across Canada. Ifyou would like to participate,access the form.

With that, Camp Deen 2015 is on track for Aug. 9-15 at Long Bay

Camp Ground!

You still have time to take advantage of our Early Bird

Discount: Pay $100 non-refundable deposit by 3/31/15 for the Early

Bird price of $495 1st camper/$475 additional campers in the same

family

Starting in April, prices will be $525 for one camper and $505 for

each additional camper. You can pay your deposit by using our

PayPal option on the Web site http://www.campdeen.com/.

To make the camping experience better for your children, we have

made some changes to our registration.

Campers this year will be ages 7-14

Campers 15-and-older will now be in our in our leadership program.

15-year olds (or new 16 year olders) will be LEADERS IN

TRAINING (PHASE 1):

As a LIT(1) campers will be mentored directly by senior staff

members on how to plan, execute and supervise the multiple

activities the camp offers. They will also have a daily session on

various aspects of leadership such as problem solving and being a

good follower. These skills will help our future leaders make

better decisions in their daily lives. LITS(1) pay the same price as

campers, but they do earn 50 hours of high school volunteer credit

*LITS should bring their school's volunteer form to camp.

Campers who have completed LIT (1) (Or first-time campers 17 and

older) will be LIT (Phase 2): as a LIT (2) campers will be paired with

a cabin so they can be mentored by our experienced counselors on

how to lead a cabin: Additionally, LITS (2) will have courses that will

build on what they learned during their LIT (1) phase.

The courses include conflict resolution, team building, and how to

work with children of multiple ages. LITS(2) pay the same price as

campers, but they do earn 50 hours of high school volunteer credit

*LITS should bring their school's volunteer form to camp.

After completing the LIT phase, campers will be Camp Deen

Vision Ensure the equality, equityand empowerment of CanadianMuslim women.

Values

- To promote Muslim women’sidentity in the Canadiancontext.- To assist Muslim women togain an understanding of theirrights, responsibilities and rolesin Canadian society.- To promote and encourageunderstanding and interfaithdialogue between Muslims andother faith communities.- To contribute to Canadiansociety the knowledge, lifeexperiences and ideas ofMuslim women for the benefitof all.- To strengthen the bonds ofsisterhood among the Muslimcommunities and amongMuslim individuals.- To stimulate Islamic thinkingand action among Muslimwomen in the Canadiansetting.- To acknowledge and respectthe cultural differences amongCanadian Muslim women, andto recognize and develop ourcommon cultural heritage.- To promote a betterunderstanding of Islam and theIslamic way of life in the NorthAmerican setting.- To represent CanadianMuslim women at national andinternational forums.- To encourage the

Counselors. As counselors, they will use all the skills they gained

during their time as a LIT and more. Counselors will also get

advanced leadership training and participate in peer driven learning

where they will learn tips on how to be successful as they move

into the workforce: Accountability, managing resources, preparing

for job interviews and more. Counselors do not pay for camp and

will be selected by senior staff members based on their

performance as LITs and needs of the camp.

The Leadership Program's intention is to develop the next

generation of Muslim leaders. Leaders who understand and are

prepared to work through the multiple challenges they will face in

today's society. More importantly, we want to develop leaders that

have a true servant's heart rooted in Islam.

We are very excited about this new phase of Camp Deen. Please

feel free to ask any questions regarding camp and also please

spread the word.

Chad Jones

410-437-5284

ctjwriter@gmail.com

Downtown L.A. Mosque Imagines Empowered Rolefor Muslim Women

In what may have been a unique moment in America, more than

100 women gathered Friday at the interfaith Pico-Union Project.

organization and coordinationof Muslim women’sorganizations across Canada.

Guiding Principles

- We are guided by the Quranicmessage of God’s mercy andjustice, and of the equality of allpersons, and that each personis directly answerable to God.- We value a pluralistic society,and foster the goal of strengthand diversity within a unifyingvision and the values ofCanada. Our identity of beingMuslim women and of diverseethnicity and race is integral tobeing Canadian.- As Canadians, we abide bythe Charter of Rights andFreedoms and the law ofCanada.- We believe in the universalityof human rights, which meansequality and social justice, withno restrictions or discriminationbased on gender or race.- We are vigilant insafeguarding and enhancingour identity and our rights tomake informed choicesamongst a variety of options.- We acknowledge that CCMWis one voice amongst manywho speak on behalf of Muslimwomen, and that there areothers who may representdiffering perspectives.- We aim to be activelyinclusive and accepting ofdiversity among ourselves, asMuslim women.

While many mosques continue to follow a tradition of separating

women from male congregants, the downtown Los Angeles

mosque forbids men from attending.

Female-only mosques may exist in China, Chile and India, but

Muslim leaders say this could be the first in the U.S. Read more

about the mosque here.

Ottawa Chapter

On Feb 25th, Ottawa chapter member Sana Khalil presented in a

class to Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) students about CCMW's

violence against women project.

An Open Letter to Saudi King

Saudi Arabia should curb Wahhabi ideology to alleviate human

suffering in the Muslim world

February 20, 2015 2:00AM ET by Ani Zonneveld @AniZonneveld

Dear King Salman bin Abdul-Aziz,

Assalamu-alaikum.

I am a 52-year-old Malaysian-born Muslim. I was raised in a

harmonious interracial and interfaith society that accepted and

respected other religious practices. The existence of different faith

groups was viewed simply as different ways of connecting to the

same God. Saudi Arabia started exporting its Wahhabi ideology in

the 1970s, and it spread around the world, turning existing

interpretations of Islam into one that is dogmatic and violent.

The result is a nearly unrecognizable form of Islam. It appears to

get worse by the day.

Read more here.

CEDAW for Change Training Program

This unique educational institute brings feminist perspectives and

an activist orientation to the inextricably related issues of peace,

human rights and life-sustaining development. Participants will gain

an understanding of the global economic, ecological, legal, cultural

and political contexts of this work, as well as of the groundbreaking

work that is currently being done and has been done over decades

by women and men around the world. Participants will develop a

practical understanding of the UN Human Rights system and how

to apply a women’s human rights framework to a multiplicity of

issues. Participants will also develop practical facilitation skills to

help them become human rights educators in their own regions and

organizations.

Important milestones such as the U.N. Convention on the

Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women

(CEDAW), the U.N. Convention on the Elimination of Racial

Discrimination (CERD), the U.N. Declaration on the Rights of

Indigenous Peoples, the Convention on the Rights of Persons with

Disabilities, the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, The

African Protocol on Women’s Rights, the Inter-American

Convention on the Prevention, Punishment and Eradication of

Violence Against Women, UN Security Council Resolutions 1325

and 1820, the Beijing Platform for Action, and the Jakarta

Principles, among others, will be featured as resources for social

change. Effective ways of using them as tools for education and

practice will be explored.

CEDAW for Change Toronto 2015 – June 6 – 13, 2015

The CEDAW for Change Institute will be offered in 2015 at the

Centre for Women’s Studies in Education, University of Toronto.

The program runs from June 6 – 13, 2015, and includes:

Weekend workshop: An Introduction to International Human

Rights Law & the History of WHR, June 6-7

CEDAW for Change Institute: June 9 – 13

CEDAW for Change

This seven-day women’s human rights education institute is

designed to cultivate a better understanding of the principles of non

discrimination and substantive equality as enshrined in CEDAW

(UN Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination

Against Women) and each State’s obligation to respect, protect and

fulfill women’s human rights. The core principles and functions of

CEDAW as tools for activism and feminist analysis will be explored,

ensuring that all participants will be able to ground diverse women’s

issues in a women’s human rights framework.

During the training we will learn through activities focused around

identity and interconnectedness, the complex nature of

discrimination, the impact of culture and religion on women’s rights,

and activism against discrimination. We will examine case studies

that have come before the CEDAW committee and will explore

ways in which CEDAW can be used to support local and national

level activism through the submission of Shadow Reports by NGOs

and through the CEDAW Optional Protocol.

Click here to apply.

Blueprint for Canada's NAP on VAW

CCMW endorsed the final version of the Blueprint of the National

Action Plan (NAP) on Violence Against Women (VAW).

The UN has called on all countries to have a NAP on VAW by 2015.

National Action Plans provide a framework for strengthening

systems that prevent and respond to violence against women. They

establish national standards and collaboration between all levels of

government, civil society, survivors and service responders.

Currently, Canada has no comprehensive national plan or strategy

to deal with violence against women. Without a plan, responses are

largely fragmented and services often inaccessible. Early in 2014,

the Canadian Network of Women's Shelters and Transition Houses

initiated a collaborative process which resulted in this Blueprint.

Read the Blueprint here.

Ottawa Chapter - Interviews on the Niqab

CCMW Ottawa chapter member, Ferrukh Faruqui, was interviewed

by CTV about the niqab controversy. Watch the interview here.

Read an article about the topic here.

Honour Peshawar Children - Petition (Avaaz)

On December 16, 2014 a band of men walked into a school in

Pakistan and massacred over 100 kids. CCMW signed this petition

with the rest of the world to demand innocent children are protected

and not the victims of violence.

Recruitment  

Osmud Rahman is an Associate Professor of School of Fashion at

the Ryerson University. He is currently conducting a research study

about ethnic attire, titled Cultural Interchange through Ethnic Dress:

Social Engagement and Public Perceptions. The purpose of this

study is to investigate current issues related to immigrant ethnicity,

experience, engagement and integration through the study of ethnic

dress. This project consists of two stages of data collection: online

textual data, and in-depth interviews. Professor Rahman has just

completed the first-stage data collection, would like to recruit

participants for the second stage research study.

He is looking for individuals who are willing to participate in an

interview about their experiences with ethnic dress. The target

participants for this study must be female adults (18 years old or

above) with some kind of Muslim background. They can be

immigrants or first-/second-generations.

Participation in this study is voluntary, and the interview is

completely anonymous. However, the interviews will be audio-

recorded if you provide consent for audio recording. If you do not

want to be audio-recorded, then you will not be recruited for this

study. The audio file will only use for the verbatim transcription, and

it will not be circulated or uploaded on any public domains.

The interview will take about 45-90 minutes of your time. In this

study, some demographics and personal questions will be asked –

e.g., race, place of birth, duration of residence, income, education,

and age. You have no obligation to answer all the questions. If

there are any questions that you would prefer not to respond,

simply skip the question during the interview. Please note a $20 gift

certificate will be given to you as a small token to appreciate your

participation and compensate your time.

If you’re interested, please let me know and I’ll forward your contact

information to Professor Rahman.

If you need more information about this study, you can also contact

Professor Rahman at orahman@ryerson.ca or call him at 416-979-

5000, extension 6911.

Copyright © 2015 Canadian Council of Muslim Women, All rights reserved.

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